Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy with foot drop, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma due to in-service herbicide agent exposure. The Court found that the Board did not address the Veteran’s lay contentions regarding herbicide agent exposure and formaldehyde exposure during autopsies.

The Board has granted the restoration of service connection for left and right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower left extremities, as well as his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bursitis/tendinitis of the left elbow, are being remanded due to new evidence received since the final May 2011 denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 15, 2011.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II and diabetic complications of peripheral neuropathy, finding that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection due to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lupus, fibromyalgia, left hip disability, right hip disability, sinus disability, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, hypertension, and kidney disability due to unresolved medical opinions regarding causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is granted a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision. Ratings for peripheral neuropathy right and left lower extremities remain denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 100% rating effective from December 18, 2020.,No other conditions have an effective date prior to July 28, 2016.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease was granted at 60 percent, effective April 12, 2011. From March 30, 2016, the Veteran is also entitled to SMC due to having multiple service-connected disabilities rated at 60% or more.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sciatic and femoral neuropathies are granted a 20 percent rating from February 19, 2013 to July 7, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted effective April 29, 2014. The decision also grants earlier effective dates for the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's heart condition and hypertension were not incurred in service, nor are they related to his military service.,Right ear SNHL was not incurred in service or due to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's low back condition, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, type II, varicose veins, peripheral vascular disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were also not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 7, 2011 were denied as a matter of law due to the finality of the January 24, 2000 rating decision that initially denied service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical nexus opinions regarding his claimed conditions, including coronary artery disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, neurobehavioral effects, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral hand neuropathy, stroke, erectile dysfunction, and prostate disability. The claims are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for frostbite of the feet, lower back disorder, and bilateral lower extremity and upper extremity disorders due to unresolved issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as his physical impairments are due to nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of cold injury of the left hand was denied.,From November 15, 2020, the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of cold injury of the right hand was granted with a 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of cold injury of the right foot was denied.,From November 15, 2020, the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of cold injury of the left foot was granted with a 10 percent rating.